1From Benjamin Franklin to Conrad-Alexandre Gérard, 17 June 1781 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I enclose the Letters for M. Beyerlé. But as by the Note concerning him it seems he has Expectations of being employ’d in our Army, I cannot but be sorry that he should undertake so expensive & hazardous a Voyage with those Views, being persuaded that he will not find such Employment. I am expressly charged not to encourage officers to go over, and therefore can give...
2From Benjamin Franklin to Conrad-Alexandre Gérard, 15 March 1780 (Franklin Papers)
Copy: Library of Congress I congratulate you most Sincerely on your safe arrival after so many fatigues and Perils and on your happy Meeting with your family and friends. I long to embrace and Welcome you in Person but have been prevented, partly by an unwillingness to intrude on Those first hours, which you might wish to Spend with your nearer Connections, and Partly by Accidental Business....
3From George Washington to Conrad-Alexandre Gérard, 12 September 1779 (Washington Papers)
The Baron de Kalb did me the honor some days ago to communicate a letter he had received from your Excellency which flattered us with the hopes of seeing you at the Army before your departure for France. I am since told by the Baron that you have changed your intention of coming this way. In this I feel myself deprived of a great pleasure—I cannot however permit you to leave these States...
4From George Washington to Conrad-Alexandre Gérard, 25 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
Col. Fleury having signified to me his intention of shortly returning to France and requested permission to go to Philadelphia to make some arrangements for this purpose on which his final determination will depend; I take the liberty to give him this letter to Your Excellency as a testimony of the sense I entertain of his conduct and services in this country, which have been such as to merit...
5From George Washington to Conrad-Alexandre Gérard, 5 July 1779 (Washington Papers)
A report prevails here that Your Excellency intends shortly to take your departure for France. On a presumption of its truth, I take the liberty to request you will do me the Honor to take charge of the inclosed letter for the Marquis De la Fayette. I cannot but avail myself of this opportunity of assuring your Excellency of the high sense I entertain of your services to this country, and how...
6From Thomas Jefferson to Conrad Alexandre Gérard, 8 June 1779 (Jefferson Papers)
The General Assembly of Virginia at their first Session which was held after the conclusion of the Treaties of Alliance and Commerce between his most Christian Majesty and the American Congress, tho’ seeing that fortunate event in all its importance, yet omitted to give it their particular approbation, entertaining a daily hope that the Confederation of the united States would be acceded to by...
7From George Washington to Conrad-Alexandre Gérard, 18 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
The obligation I felt for the visit which Your Excellency did me the honor to make me could only be increased by the manner in which you are pleased to mention the reception you met with. If there was any thing that deserved to give you pleasure, it was the sentiments which accompanied the marks of respect we were happy to have an opportunity of showing you. As the Minister of a Prince we...
8George Washington to Conrad Alexandre Gérard, 1 May 1779 (Hamilton Papers)
Middlebrook [ New Jersey ] May 1, 1779 . Suggests two plans for cooperation of French fleet and American troops. Df , in writing of H, George Washington Papers, Library of Congress.
9From George Washington to Conrad-Alexandre Gérard, 1 May 1779 (Washington Papers)
As you have been pleas’d to honor me with a communication of His Excellency Count D’Estang’s intention of returning to this Continent with the Squadron under his command, and have desired to know my sentiments of the manner in which this event may be best improved for the interest of the common cause—and what can be done on the part of these States towards that end—I beg leave to offer the...
10From John Jay to Conrad Alexandre Gérard, 13 January 1779 (Jay Papers)
It is with real Satisfaction that I execute the Order of Congress for transmitting to You the enclosed Copy of an Act of the 12 th Inst: on a Subject rendered important, by affecting the dignity of Congress, the Honor of their great Ally, and the Interest of both Nations— The explicit disavowal and high disapprobation of Congress, relative to the Publications referred to in this Act, will, I...
11From Benjamin Franklin to Gérard, 1 April 1778 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Once more, dear Sir, Adieu. Mr. Deane set out last Night. He will show you the Propositions. They would probably have been accepted, if they had been made two Years ago. I have answer’d that they come too late: And that every kind of Acknowledgement of the Government of Great Britain how small soever, is now become impracticable. I thank you...
12The American Commissioners to Conrad-Alexandre Gérard, 4 March 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Harvard University Library Being desirous of a conference with you on a subject, that appears to us of importance; we shall be glad to meet you here, or at Versailles, as soon as may be convenient to you. We have the honor to be, with the greatest respect, Sir, Your most Obedient and most Humble Servants Notation: 1778. Mars 4. Both...
13From Benjamin Franklin to Gérard, 25 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères I received last night the enclos’d Letter from a Member of Parliament, and the two frivolous Bills which the Ministry in their present Consternation have thought fit to propose, with a View to support their publick Credit a little longer at home, and to amuse and divide if possible our People in America. You will see that they have dispatch’d...
14From Benjamin Franklin to Gérard, 24 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères Understanding that Reports have been spread at Versailles, of Treaties on foot in America between the Congress and the English Commissioners; or here between us and the English Ministry; I send you an American Newspaper of Decr. 19. by which you will see, in the Passages marked with a Pen, in what manner such Reports, and those who occasion...
15The American Commissioners to [Gérard], 22 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Harvard University Library The News you have receiv’d from England cannot be true. No Treaty would be entred into with Howe by Washington, when the Congress was at hand: And Howe could have no Propositions to make but such as were authoris’d by the Act of Parliament, and had been long since rejected, (viz.) Pardon upon Submission ....
16Franklin and Silas Deane to Gerard, 1 February 1778 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; two AL (drafts): American Philosophical Society; copy: Harvard University Library; two copies: National Archives Mr. Lee having signified to us, that on farther Consideration he has changed his Sentiments relating to the 12th Article; and that he cannot join in Signing the Treaty if that Article remains in it: And as Unanimity is of some...
17The American Commissioners to [Gerard], 30 January 1778 [i.e. 27] (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; ALS (draft) or copy: University of Virginia Library We have concluded to make no farther Propositons for the present Treaty. We only wish the Word Sovereignty may be inserted in the two Places propos’d, if not thought absolutely improper. We have the Honour to be with the greatest Esteem, Sir, Your most obedient humble Servants We print the...
18The American Commissioners to [Gérard], 20 December 1777 (Franklin Papers)
ALS : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères The Persons going out with the dispatches are Mr. Simeon Deane and Mr. Anthony Knap both of New England. They will set out this Evening for Bordeaux, and will follow Your Orders, which You shall send; inclosed You have a Letter of Credit for the Captn. of Your Ship. We have the honor to be with the utmost respect Sir Your most Obedient and...
19The American Commissioners to Gérard, 14 January 1777 (Franklin Papers)
AL : Archives du Ministère des affaires étrangères; copy: Harvard University Library The commissioners are here acknowledging, on the surface, the King’s message that Gérard had transmitted to them the day before. Their gratitude, however, had little to do with the message, which offered them nothing beyond a vague promise, at the end, of help in purchasing supplies. What they are in fact...